Tim Duddy from the Caroona Coal Action Group, which represents farmers in the fight against the incursion of mining, said there would be political consequences.

“I’m absolutely confident that this will cost Kevin Anderson his seat, because the farming community will not wear this any longer,” he said. 

“Before the last election, they put their hand on their heart and said the Liverpool Plains would be protected – the premier (Mike Baird) told me that himself. It was absolute garbage and it was lip-service and they’re a bunch of liars.” 

Peter Draper, the independent candidate for the seat of Tamworth, said the Nationals had not fought hard enough to keep coalmines off productive farmland.

“I think that the National Party are going to suffer a significant backlash from the rural community because of their support for this,” he said.

“I’m just absolutely stunned and astounded that the (Planning Assessment) Commission would even contemplate a mine in the middle of the Liverpool Plains.

“The mine, where it’s proposed, is probably the major recharge area for the underground aquifers and if they interfere with those aquifers, you can’t undo the damage.”

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson, who said he shared the concerns of farmers, stressed that the PAC’s decision had been made at “arm’s length” from the Coalition government.

He said the PAC, in its decision, had “echoed” his stance that mining should not occur on the Liverpool Plains’ highly productive black soils. 

“Agriculture and mining have grown together and co-existed in Gunnedah for 100 years and will continue to co-exist as long as there is a strong and independent regulatory system in place,” he said.

“(The PAC) are calling that there should be no work on any highly valuable black soil plains and that’s something I’ve been pushing for.

“What we do need to do is protect agriculture. We do need to ensure that agriculture does have a role to play in the future.”